Explore Hawaii: Hiking in West Oahu from the DJI Mavic Drone’s Perspective

My 4th go with the drone, as I learn to fly the DJI Mavic. This time, we set off on a short hike up the beautiful mountains of Oahu where we had shelter from the sun in a shallow cave. … Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – Video Highlights of 2016

January 1st, 2016 was my official commitment to hike more in life while living in Oahu. By December 31, 2016, I had 29 hikes under my belt ranging from beginner to advanced hikes. At this point, I’ve only been able to put together 3 videos in this post but many references to my hiking journal photo albums.

Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – Found and Climbed a Hunter’s Tree Stand

Out hiking in West Oahu and found what I imagine as the dreamy tree house I never had as a kid. But I know hunters come to this area to hunt game birds, goats and wild boar so this must be their tree stand. I just had to climb and inspect it further. Wouldn’t you?! First time doing this. Here we go. Read More

Bladders vs Bottles for Staying Hydrated on the Hiking Trail

With 24 hikes under my belt this year, it was only on my most recent 24th hike that I had a Camelbak instead of a backpack full of water bottles. As you’re on the trail with other experienced hikers you notice how hydrated they stay and they don’t seem to be stopping to fiddle with their backpack to grab those water bottles. Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – Kawa’ewa’e

First Time: Another great hike with Hawaii Trail and Mountain Club. Starts at the Friendship Gardens in Kaneohe. The hike offers great views of Kane’ohe and the bay, Coconut Island (aka Gilligan’s Island), Pali Notches, Stairway to Heaven, and the Mokes. Fortunately, this day’s hike offered great weather of partly cloudy skies with refreshing breezes on the ridge.

Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – A different way up Koko Head

We’ve accomplished hiking the Koko Head Railway Trail several times before, in the past years. It’s a short but steep incline type of hike with an appropriate nickname “The Ultimate Stairmaster.” A bit challenging for creaky knees with over 1,000+ steps to the top which offers scenic view for its victors. This day, we took the more mountainous climb up to a natural arch on the crater’s rim. A fun, gusty birthday hike! Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – Waianae Valley, Oahu

My 3rd hike with the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club. We met at 8:30am and ended around 1:00pm (4.5 hrs). Today’s hike we crossed several flowing streams – Kalalulu, Kukaki to the Kanewai Streams. Most of the hike was canopied by the shade of the valley’s Ironwood and Lemon Eucalyptus trees and trekking through coffee plants, ferns… mostly non native species of plant life… probably a botanist’s dream hike. The location has several shared trails from other known hikes: Wai’anae Waterworks, Wai’anae Rumble, and Wai’anae Kai to name a few. Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – Wahiawa Hills Trail (Wahiawa, Oahu)

This was a long, meandering loop trail that took us up & down through a paperbark forest, other invasive plants (e.g. uluhe, etc) and numerous stream crossings. Mid-hike we could have rewarded ourselves with a refreshing dip in a deep pool which is also a great spot for a snack but we wanted to keep moving. Trail was described as having tricky and confusing junctions where hikers go missing. Plus, it’s a slippery terrain due to a rainy, winter season rating this hike has a HARD one! Luckily we had seasoned hikers from the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club showing us the way. We started the hike around 9:00am and ended 1:30pm (4.5 hrs) without taking a dip. Read More